Multiple door locking system and apparatus



Nov. 23, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,694,920

MULTIPLE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l an a 229 an,

IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 23, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,694,920

MULTIPLE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 23, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,694,920

MULTIPLE DOOR LQCKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

NW. 23, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,694,920

MULTIPLE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. F. COURTNEY I MULTIPLE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Au 11, 1950 5 Sheeis-Sheet 5 Nov. 23, 1954 IIIN'IIIML l I m;

IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent MULTIPLE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Joseph F. Courtney, Oak Park, Ill., assignor of one-third to Theron L. Hedgpeth, Annapolis, one-third to Richard L. Berkson, Burbank, Calif., and one-third to Helen E. Courtney, by decree of distribution Application August 11, 1950, Serial No. 178,970

3 Claims. (Cl. 70-264) The present invention relates to a multiple door locking system and apparatus, and is particularly concerned with the control of locks for the multiple doors of vehicles, such as airplanes, automobiles, and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved locking system for multiple doors, whereby all of the doors may be electrically locked by pressing down one of the locking buttons on one of the doors so that there is no necessity for looking at all of the other locking buttons to make sure that all of the doors are locked.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved locking system for the doors of an automobile or the like by means of which all of the doors may be simultaneously unlocked when the operator unlocks one of them, preferably the door adjacent to the driver.

Another object is the provision of an improved electric locking system switch and latch which is so constructed that the locks may be controlled either by the locking push button, the inside door handle, or the key controlled tumbler barrel from the outside, and in which the switch may be connected anywhere in the linkage of elements which includes these parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved electrical locking system for multiple doors which is economical in the use of electric current, and which is on open circuit when the doors are locked and on open circuit when the doors are unlocked, utilizing the battery only momentarily, during the locking action or the unlocking action.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved switch unit for door locking systems of the class described, in which a movable switch arm is adapted to control a pair of contacts with a single arm in such manner that when the switch arm passes in one direction it makes a momentary contact with one fixed contact, but does not close a circuit through the other fixed contact, although it engages the other fixed contact, and in which a reverse action takes place during the opposite movement of the switch arm.

Another object is the provision of an improved lock unit for locking systems of the class described, which is provided with electrical means for indicating the condition of the locking bolt so that signal lights or other electrical indicators may be employed for indicating the unlocked condition or the locked condition of any or all of the bolts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved locking system and apparatus which is capable of economical manufacture, simple in construction, sturdy, which has a minimum number of parts, and which may be used for a long period of time without necessity for repair or replacement of any of its parts.

Another object is the provision of an improved lock mechanism which can be disposed. transversely to the length of the car in a suitable recess in the door keepers, and having its latching member at right angles to the movement of the car so that it is not affected by momentum or inertia due to the movement of the car, such as starting, stopping, or collision, or up or down road shocks or vibration.

Referring to the five sheets of drawings accompanying the specification,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic horizontal sectional view, taken through an automobile, showing the application of the system to the four doors;

2,694,920 Patented Nov. 23, 1954 tion, showing those parts of the locking mechanism of a conventional type, to which the present switch unit may be secured, and by means of which the present switch unit may be actuated to install the present system;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the present switch unit installed on the mechanism; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the switch unit embodying the Invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the 7 line 6-6 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 8 is a side elevational view in partial section, taken through the lock unit, one of which is utilized for each door that is controlled by the system;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the lock unit, taken from the right of Fig. 8, on the plane of the line 9-9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view, taken from the left end of Fig. 8, on the plane of the line 10-10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 11-11 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view in partial section, showing the plunger armature and the locking bolt and the associated supporting parts, in side elevation, one of the guiding plugs being in section;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the solenoid'housing, in partial section, to show the structure ofone of the end plugs;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view in partial section, showing the spools and coils for magnetizing the armature core and plugs of the solenoid;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of the contact supporting plate for the signal contacts, taken on the plane of the line 15-15 of Fig. 12, but omitting the locking bolt;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 16-16 of Fig. 15, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view showing the system with a plurality of door locks and the controlling circuits for the system.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a portion of a door frame showing the modern type of keeper and locking bolt in connection with one of the electric lock units, which is arranged transversely to the keeper and housed therein so that such lock units may be sold with a new keeper as a unit; and

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the keeper for the lock mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 7, these are illustrations of the switch unit which is employed for controlling the present locking system. The switch unit is indicated in its entirety by the numeral 20; and it preferably comprises a housing 21, having a flat back wall 22 supporting an-integral side wall 23. I

The side wall 23 may comprise a pair of diagonally extending portions 24, 25 joined at one end by a partially cylindrical portion 26 of relatively small diameter; at the other end by a partially cylindrical portion 27 of larger diameter.

The housing may comprise a stamped or drawn metal member made out of steel; and its upper open side (Fig. 6) is closed by an insulating plate 28. The insulating cover plate 28 has its outer edge 29 shaped to be flush with the outer edge of the side wall 23; and it is provided with a rabbeted formation 30 so that the inner portion of the cover plate 28 fits inside the housing when its larger outer portion engages the edge of the housing 23 by means of a shoulder 31.

The cover plate 28 is held in place by a plurality of through screw bolts 32, so arranged that they do not interfere with the mechanism. The cover plate 28 supports a pair of resilient fixed contacts 33, 34; and these contacts are similar in construction, but are oppositely flange portion 35 with an aperture for receiving a con nector bolt 36, which also supports the contact. Ea/c connector bolt- 36--passes--through.-ther contactand then through a tubular spacing sleeve 37 (Fig. 6) and through the cover plate 28, which hasa bore 38.

Each con'neetor bolthas a pair of; nuts-39, oneofwhich secures the contact: to the insulatingplate 28,- and the'other ofwhich serves for attachment of conductors betweenthenuts; Each contact 33, 34 has an inwardly extendingresilient arm '40,. which has a laterally turned portion 41.

Each. of the laterally turnedportions 41 supports a diagonally extending contact blade 42, 43; and these are numbered differently because-they extend in opposite directions; that is, they are not parallel to' each other, but extend transversely toeach other.

Referringto-Fig. 7; blade 43 extends diagonally. up toward thecentcr from-the left, while blade 42 extends diagonally, tip-toward the center'from the right, for a purpose further: to be'described:

The'housing 21 is providedtwith-a supporting bracket 44 (Fig. 5), w-hich preferably-has an attaching flange 45, anoifse't 46,. and a second attaching: flange 47 for securement tothe lock mechanism of; the-car or any other suitable position. The attaching flange 45 has a through bore-for passingthe reduced cylindricahpertion 49 f a bearing postSt).

The bearing post 50 has a through cylindricalbore 511 for rotatablywsupporting. the switch shaft 52. The bearing post 50 preferably hasa' counterb'ore- 53 atits inner end and a counterbore 54 at its outer end-for: receiving -a felt washenin-each-case; surrounding the shaft and holding a supply of--semisolid lubricant; and preventingu'moisture-and foreign matterfrom entering the switch;

The attaching-flange. 45 isjsecuredto the housing by means? of a suitable through bolt andnut; with its' reduced portionlocated in?a:bore55-in the housing.

The switch shaft 52 comprises a cylindrical metal member provided? witha reduced: cylindrical trunnion" 56 atsitsupper end to-be received in a bore 57- in-the cover plate 28. At its opposite end there is-a reduced cylindrical portion 58 with flattened sides for" receiving the switch actuating lever 59; whicl1-has acomplernentary bore.

The: switch shaft is preferably riveted over at 60 or spun'outwardto'secure the actuating-lever'59 to the shaft. The actuating lever 59' comprises a-shor-t; narrow metal plate having a slot 61 in its end for engagement with an act-uatingpin 'on the-loch mechanism. The'switch-rotor arm 62' (Fig: 6), has a bore 63-fitting on the enlarged'but flattened supporting portion 64 of the shaft 52.

The switch'rotor'arr'n62 may'comprise a molded insulating member having a relatively thick hub body 65, the faces ofwhich may enga'ge'the cover plate 28 and the bearingpost 501 The rotor: arm 62 may have a thinner portion" 66=-atits end for supporting the movable contact 67; and the movable 'conta'ctmay be secured by aitlirough'rivet- 68;. which also secures in placethe backwardly extending connector arm 69.

The connector arm 69 'comprises a resilient-metal member secured by the'rive't 68 and projecting backward- 1Y1 along the rotor" arm 62 and upwardly toward thecover platei'28-by means-of a diagonalportion 70; At its end the-:connector arm 69" hasa--rounded= button portion '71 for engaging the head of a connector bolt! 72, which has it's head located flush witlrthelower surface of-the cover platetZS, the boltand-headbeing located in a bore and counterbore.

The nuts 73 serve to' clampthe bolt 72 in place and to secure conductors. The head of the bolt 72being close tothe axis of the rotor arm 62, it is engaged by the button portion 71' of the connector arm: 7G over an arc of' motion ofthe rotor arm 62, suflicient to establish connection at a time when the contact 67 isengaging either blade42-or'blade 43.

The'movablecontact 67 comprises aresilient metal member secured bythe same rivet 68 and projecting outwardlyion" rotor 62 into thespace between the contact blades 42 and 43. The rotor-farm 62-may support a layerlof insulation 74--on the lower'side of the movable contact 67- sothat this-contact is metal above and insulationi' below, as seen in Fig. 7. The purpose of this structure has follows:

The present switch'is intendedto-rnake only a momcntary contact with the contact '42 when-passing to the left in Fig; 7, or downward in-Fig1 4; and is not to provide any electrical engagement withthe contact 42, although it engages the contact 42 by means of its insulatingJayer. 7.4. as..it.passes. the. contact42. The range of.

movement of the contact 67 is from a position to the left of the contact 43 to another open circuit position to the right of the contact 42 in Fig. 7.

As the rotor arm 62 swings'from one of these positions to the other, it never makes but one electrical contact, although it physically engagesboth of the contact blades 42, 43 during each arc'of; motion. The action of the contact blades is as follows:

Assuming tliat"the movable contact 67 is toward the right 'of the blade 43 in Fig. 7, asmovable contact 67 moves toward'the left-it will engage the top-of'blade- 43; and this blade,- beingresiliently supported, the blade will becammeddownward, engaging the insulating bottom portion 74 or the rotor' arm 62' so'that there is no electrical contact asthecontact 67 passes blade 43 going to the left in Fig. 7. The contact 67 has now reached the center positionofEigJ and is going toward theleft.

Itowill next engage the bottomv ofthe blade 42 bymeanaof: its-uppera metallic contact. 67-, making. an electrical connection Theblade 42.is then cammed upward until. contact 67 passes it to. the open: circuit position. Thusonlyamomentar-y. contact-with the blade 42 is made asthe-movable contact- 67'movestothe leftin Fig; 7.

Assumingthe rnoVabl'econtact is now moved toward the right, it will engage the top oftheblade 42. with the insulating bottom portion 74 'of f-therotorarm. 62, and will make no electrical contact. The blade 42 will be camrned downward untiiwthe movable contact 67- passes, going towardthe right;. and. the movable contact will next engage the'bottomcf the blade 43. with its upper metallic contact- 67; I

Theblade -43 will. be cammedi upward, while. a momentary contact is made; and thereafter the contact 67 will move tothe:righnbeyond tlie blade 43;

Thus it.-will' be observed that a. momentary contactis made only with oneof the-blades moving toward the. left and-.;with the other of the blades moving. toward the right At all other timestheswitcharm ison opencircuit; and the present switching mechanisrnis, therefore, economical-in ther use of: the-battery, andwill. not provide'a seriousdrain of. current. on the battery.

Thepresent: switch: unitis preferably so constructed that it may be attachedto a fixed plate.75(Fig. 2) carried bythe door lock. mechanism or insome'other suitableposition whichis adjacent the driver at' the. left. front door. The plate 75 provides a pivotal. mountingfor a locking. plate 76,-Whichisattached'toan actuating rod 77 having a knob 7S'locatedin=theleft ftontwindow moldmg.

By pushingdownwardona knob likethe knob 78 any one ofthe doors may be locked. The locking plate 76 is pivotallymountedat- 79 cm the plate 75andis pivotally connected by means of stud-8010 aiU-shaped crank lever 81,.the yoke 82 of which serves-as a-shaft to connect locking plate 76 to a keyactuated'member on the other side of the door.

Thus the locking plate- 76wmay be actuated by the knob 78 or by means of the key actuated-tumbler barrel; andit may also be actuatedbymeans'of a backward pull uponthe connecting. rod. 83', which-isconnected to the doorhandle and permitslock-ing ,of'. the door by turning the inside-door handle upward.

Thus the locking plate 76 may be moved. in any of the conventional ways of lockingarcar door; Fixed plate 75t-is-shown in Fig.- 3 as supporting. the switch unit by means ofa pairof screw bolts-83' passing through the supporting bracket.

Locking plate 76 isprovidedwith a stud 84 located to engage in the-slot 61 'of the switch lever 59. As the switchv unit is supported in-fixed position; movement of the locking plate 76 moves the stud -84, which. moves the switch actuating lever 59.

Thus any ofthe conventional. modes of locking the door will move the switch unit rotor in a counterclockwise direction in Fig.=2-and-Fig. 4; from a'pcsition belowcontact 43 in Fig, 4 andthis w-illicause momentary electrical contact with the contact 42; but the switch rotor contact 67 will pass-the fixed'co'ntact 43withouteffecting an electrical connection because of the lower insulation 74.

Upon-unlockingthe-door bywusing the key, pulling up the knob 78, or movingdown the inside handle of the door, the locking;plate-76.-will' move in the clockwise direction, causing the movable contact 67 to pass under the contact 43, effecting an electrical connection, and to pass over the contact 42 without electrical connection, due to the presence of the insulation 74.

The locking mechanism, which is controlled by the switch unit, comprises a lock unit, shown in Figs. 8 to 16, one of these lock units being employed for each door, except the left front door, which is to be controlled directly by the operator of the vehicle.

The lock units are identical in construction; and one of them is shown in elevation in Fig. 8 and indicated in its entirety by the number 85. The latter units are preferably arranged in the mullions or vertical frame members 86, 86, which are located between the doors; but in case the doors swing in the same direction, the lock unit is always carried by the frame members of the vehicle adjacent the swinging edge of the door. 87 indicates a key actuated tumbler barrel accessible only from the outside of the door and adapted to move the locking plate 76 when the key is turned either to locking or unlocking position.

Three such lock units are indicated at 85a, 85b, and 850 in Fig. 1 for the right front and for the two rear doors. Each lock unit comprises a solenoid operated latch; and the latch is indicated at 88 (Fig. 8). The lock unit 85 preferably comprises a cylindrical sheet metal casing 89 having a closed end wall 90 provided with a central aperture 91.

At its opposite end lock casing 89 has a radial attaching flange 92 which is engaged by a pressed sheet metal cover plate 93. Sheet metal cover plate 93 is formed with a shallow cylindrical cup 94 and a radial cover flange 95 that has a narrow cylindrical rim 96 fitting over casing flange 92.

Cover plate 93 and easing flange 92 have a plurality of registering openings for receiving the tubular rivets 97 by means of which they are secured together, while still leaving apertures for receiving the supporting screw bolts by means of which the lock unit is supported on the vehicle.

Cover plate 93 has a central rectangular slot 98 for passing the latch 88, which is pivotally mounted upon the cover plate. For this purpose the cover plate supports a terminal plate 99 by means of a pair of threaded studs 100 carried by the cover plate, and by means of a U-shaped stirrup 101.

The studs 100 and U-shaped stirrup 101 each have riveted formations 102, 103 secured in the cover plate, and are fixedly secured to the terminal plate 99. Latch 88 comprises a thick metal member provided with a round bearing portion 104 at one end, having an aperture 105 for engaging a pin 106. The pin 106 pivotally mounts the latch 88 in the stirrup.

The design of the latch 88 is such that it is substantially closes the rectangular slot 98 in cover plate 93, when the latch is in the out position or in the in position. This tends to prevent foreign matter from entering the lock mechanism.

Latch 88 has a beveled shoulder 107 extending downwardly from its face 108 for engaging the beveled lower edge 109 of the aperture 98, these parts being beveled to permit the latch to move back flush with the outer surface of cover plate 93.

At its upper end the latch 88 has an upward extension 110, the forward shoulder 111 of which engages the inside of the cover plate 93 to limit the outward movement of the latch 88. The upper surface 112 (Fig. 12) of the latching plate 88 serves as the locking shoulder which is projected from the cover plate 93 to engage a keeper carried by the door.

Latch 88 also supports a pair of inlaid strips 113 of insulation, which may be held in the rabbeted recesses 114 in the latch 88 by means of a double ended spacer and rivet 115. The riveted ends 116 of spacer 115 are provided with rounded recesses 117, serving as a detent for holding the latch in a definite position, and also serving as an electrical contact for engagement with the signal contacts 118, one of which is located on each side of the latch 88.

Signal contacts 118 comprise resilient copper members formed with an apertured attaching flange 119 for receiving the screw bolt (Fig. 16). The contacts 118 have enlarged apertures surrounding the screw bolt 112' and are insulated by means of an insulating washer and by a layer of insulation 121.

The attaching flange 119 of each contact 118 carries a resilient U-shaped formation 122, each of which is formed with a pressed partially spherical detent and contact formation 123.

This formation is located to engage just outside of the end of the insulating inlay 113, tending to hold the latch 88 in its outer or projected position; but the latch 88 can cam the contacts 118 apart until the formations 123 ride on the insulation 113; and thereafter become seated in the contact depressions 117, when the latch 88 is wholly withdrawn.

The latch 88 also has an elongated through slot 124 (Fig. 12) for passing the trunnion 125 carried by a connecting rod head 126. The connecting rod head 126 extends into an aperture in the latch 88 from the left side of Fig. 12 and carries the connecting rod 127.

The terminal plate 99 carries a centrally located plug 128 of magnetic material and is itself magnetic for corn pleting the magnetic circuit outside of the spools of the solenoid. The plug 128 and terminal plate 99 have a through bore 129 for passing the connecting rod 127, which is preferably made of nonmagnetic metal, such as brass.

The plunger armature 130 comprises a cylindrical metal member of magnetic metal, having a frusto-conical portion 131, 132 at each end. The frusto-conical portion 132 is complementary to a frusto-conical recess 133 in the end of plug 128. The frusto-conical portion 131 is complementary .to a similar recess 134 in the end of a magnetic plug 135, which is riveted at 136 in the end wall of the magnetic casing 89.

The connecting rod 127 has its threaded end 137 threaded into an axial threaded bore in the plunger armature 130. The length of the connecting rod 127 is preferably such that the armature 130 never comes into engagement with either plug 128 or 135, thus avoiding the sticking of the armature due to residual magnetism.

Referring to Fig. 14, this is a view showing the spools for supporting the magnetizing coils, of which there are two in each lock unit. The spool may be constructed of a brass tube 138 of suflicient size to slidably receive the armature 130. The brass sleeve 138 supports a centrally located magnetic disc 139, which is located between two insulating fiber discs 140, 141. At the end of the sleeve 138 there are two additional insulating fiber discs 142, 143, thus providing a pair of spools for supporting the insulated coils 144, 145.

The discs 139143 are provided with suitable through apertures 146 so that all of the conductors may be brought back to the rear end of the spool for convenient connection to the controlling circuits. The brass tube 138 is spun over at each of its ends at 147 to hold the discs on the tube. The size of the spool assembly of Fig. 14 is such that it slides into the casing 89 over the plug and is anchored in place by being engaged at its opposite end by the terminal plate 99.

The terminal plate 99 supports an insulating sheet 121 extending between the contacts 118 and serving as a buffer for engaging the latch 88 in the position of Fig. 12. The conductors from the coils 144, may be brought out and connected to a plurality of electrical connectors carried by a fiber connector plate 148. A fiber cap 149 may be secured on the end of the housing 89 by means of screw bolt 150.

The present switch unit may be connected or supported so that it can be actuated by any of the lock actuating members which are shown in Figs. 2 or 3. It is not important that it be located in the exact place where it is, provided its switch arm can be moved relative to the fixed contacts by either one of three things:

First, by the locking plunger, second, by the inside door or its connecting linkage, and third, by the key actuated tumbler barrel which is accessible only outside the door. Actuation of any one of these three lock actuating members will cause the switch arm to move and make one or the other of the momentary contacts referred to.

Referring to Fig. 18, indicates a part of one of the door frames of the most modern type of automotive vehicle, the edge 161 of the frame facing the free edge of the door. Such an installation is provided with a keeper 162 of the type shown which has an upwardly curved and sloping, laterally open slot 163 for receiving a pivoted locking bolt 164. The lower slot 165 of such a keeper is merely for door alignment.

In such case the locking unit 85d may be disposed i a suita'ble recess in the keeper with its latching. member 88d'projectingthrough. an. aperture into the slot 163.. The latching member 88d need not engage.- the lockibolt' 164, but need only be in the path of the lock bolt-so as to prevent the door from opening when the latching member is inlocked position. As the present electrical locking units 85d may be made very small, they can be provided withkeepers 162. for all the different types of cars, and the lock unit can be. sold with the keeper as a unit.

The .lock can thus be installed by merely changing keepers and making the electrical connections. Such an installation has the advantage that the lockunit is not affected by momentum or inertia. It will not be moved from the position in which it happens to be by the starting 'or stopping of a car or by a collision, or road shock.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 17, these are diagrammatic illustrations of the installation for an automotive 'vehicle. The lock units 85a, 85b, and 85c are constructed as described; and the contacts 113 are connected to ground by conductor 151 in each, case and to a common conductor 152 which leads to an indicator lamp 153.-

The lamp 153 is.connected by a conductor 154; to the ignition switch 155, which in turn is connected by conductor 156 to the battery 157. The other terminal of. the battery is connected to ground. Thus, whenever any latch is withdrawn and the door is unlocked, but the ignition is on, the indicator lamp indicates that the doors have not all. been locked. All of the latches must be projected into locking position to deenergize the indicator lamp; and if any door is unlocked, a visual indication will be given by the lamp.

The switch unit in this diagram is indicated at 20, havingthe same two contacts 42 and 43; and the switch rotor arm with its contact is indicated at 67. One terminal of each of the coils 144, 145 is connected by conductors-158- to ground. The other terminal of the coil 145 :is connected by a conductor 159, in each case, to the contact 43. The other terminal of the coil 144 is connected by conductor 16% in each case, to the contact 42.

The coil 144 pulls the armature inward and moves the latches 88a, 88b, and 88c into unlatching position, which is the corresponding position for unlatching in the case of the car door lock mechanism. In Fig. 17 the diagrammatic connecting link 84 corresponds to the stud 84, which engages in the slot 61 of the switch. unit.

The rod 83 corresponds to the connecting rod leading to the inside door handle. The plunger rod 77 leads to the locking knob 78 of Fig. 2.

The operation of the present locking system and mechanism is as follows: Each door is equipped with a lock unit 85, except the left-hand front door, the lock units being connected as shown in the diagram of Fig. 17 or Fig. 1. switch unit 20.

Whenever the locking plate 76 is in the position of Fig. 17 or that of Fig. 3, the rotor arm and its contact 67: are in the open circuit position, toward the right of thecontact 43. If the operator then pushes downward on the latch knob 78 or turns upward on. the handle inside the front left door, or if he locks. the lock of that door with his key in the tumbler barrel,. the locking-plate 76 will be moved counterclockwise.

This will cause therotor 67 to make a momentary contact with the contact 43, closing the circuit through the coils 145 of each lock unit and drawing the armature toward the latchend of-the lock unit. All of the latches would then be projected into engagementwith the keepers: on the doors. The latch is held in that position by the contacts 118.

The doors cannot be opened until they are unlocked by the controlling switch unit 20 on the door adjacent the driver. When the driver unlocks his door by means of a key or by pulling up on the knob 78 or by turning the inside door handle downward on his door,-the locking plate 76 "will be turned. in a clockwisedire'ction. That will cause the switch rotor and its contact 67, which are now at-the left offthe contact 42 in Fig; 17,.to move towardtheright to. the. full line.-position, making a momentary contact. only with contact 42, and-theoremaiiningonopen circuit.

When momentary contact: is made withicontactjflt, all

of T the :coils: 144 are? energized, drawing; the 'armatfure The left-hand front door is provided with the downward in -Fig. 17-, and drawing all of the latches'85 inward; to unlock all of the doors.

Referring to Fig. 17, thelatch 880 is shown in its innermost position, unlocked, for the purpose of illustrating; how this unlocked condition of one door will energize the signal'lamp 153.

This is a condition which would not ordinarily occur, but could be brought about if the user were trying to demonstrate; and with the doors open, the user might move all'of the latches to the locking position. Suppose the two doors corresponding to latch 38a and 88b are closed, and the operator demonstrates with the door of the latch 88c open. All of the latches, having been projected by actuating the locking mechanism of the drivers door 880, will be out with the door open.

Suppose the driver then closes the door. The beveled face 198 (Fig. 8) of the latch 88 will strike the keeper and cause the latch to be cammed backward to the position of Fig. 17. The signal lamp will have its circuit closed through the contacts 118 of latch 880, indicating to the operator that one door is unlocked. This condition can be corrected by'moving the knob 78 up and down.

The present lock mechanism thus permits the driver to lock electrically all of the doors by merely actuating the locking mechanism on the door near the driver. This can be done by means of the key and tumbler barrel from the outside or it can'be done by pushing down on the knob 78 inside or by turning the inside door handle, ad-- jaeent the driver, upward. It is well known that many children have been injured by opening doors which have been locked with the ordinary mechanism; but that could not happen with the present safety lock and system.

In the event of a battery failure whilev the car is electrically locked the lock may be opened or closed from inside or outside by the usual operating means, such as the key outside or the handle or knob inside; thus he is not locked out and may have the battery serviced.

Furthermore, the driver is protected at all times. because he can have all of his doors locked by giving attention only to the door which is next to the driver. Much time is saved by controlling all of the locks from the mechanism of this one door. If the driver is about to get into the car from the left and opens that door with his key, this automatically unlocks all of the other doors so that the passengers can get in; and it is not necessary for the driver to lean over and reach toward the other doors to unlock them.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An electric switchfor electric door locks requiring momentary energization, comprising an insulating base of substantially sector shape with rounded ends and corners, said base having a cylindrical bore centrally located with respect to said rounded ends, a shaft. having acylindrical end rotatably mounted in said bore, and having an enlarged cylindrical portion with a flattened side, a complementary sheet metal member mounted on said base and having a parallel wall with a concentric enlarged bore surrounding a second portion of said shaft, an insulating bushing on said shaft, and having a reduced cylindrical portion in said latter bore, a mount ing bracket having a bore receiving said reduced portion, an actuating lever riveted on a reduced end portion of said shaft and having a forked end, an insulating rotor arm having a bore with a flat side complementary to said enlarged portion of said shaft, said arm fitting between said bushing andsaid base, and tapering toward its free end, a metalcontact having a layer of insulation on'one side securedto the free end of said rotor by a through securing means, a connector arm carried by said securing'means on said rotor arm, and extending backwardlyv toward said shaft, a connector stud carried'by said base, engagingsaid connector arm, a secondwstud carried by saidrbase and supporting an .elongated resilient sheet. metal contact extending transversely to said rotor arm, and having an inwardly turnedend 1 portionprovidedz with a diagonal engaging. flange; said diagonal flange camming said resilient contact out of the path of said rotor arm, and the rotor contact sliding over said flange when moving in one direction with metal to metal engagement, and sliding under said flange when moving in the opposite direction with metal to insulation contact to provide momentary contact for each cycle of movement of the rotor arm in both directions.

2. An electric switch for electric door locks requiring momentary energization, comprising an insulating base of substantially sector shape with rounded ends and corners, said base having a cylindrical bore centrally located with respect to said rounded ends, a shaft having a cylindrical end rotatably mounted in said bore, and having an enlarged cylindrical portion with a flattened side, a complementary sheet metal member mounted on said base and having a parallel wall with a concentric enlarged bore surrounding a second portion of said shaft, an insulating bushing on said shaft, and having a reduced cylindrical portion in said latter bore, a mounting bracket having a bore receiving said reduced portion, an actuating lever riveted on a reduced end portion of said shaft and having a forked end, an insulating rotor arm having a bore with a flat side complementary to said enlarged portion of said shaft, said arm fitting between said bushing and said base, and tapering toward its free end, a metal contact having a layer of insulation on one side secured to the free end of said rotor by a through securing means, a connector arm carried by said securing means on said rotor arm, and extending backwardly toward said shaft, a connector stud carried by said base, engaging said connector arm, a second stud carried by said base and supporting an elongated resilient sheet metal contact extending transversely to said rotor arm, and having an inwardly turned end portion provided with a diagonal engaging flange, said diagonal flange camming said resilient contact out of the path of said rotor arm, and the rotor contact sliding over said flange when moving in one direction with metal to metal engagement, and sliding under said flange when moving in the opposite direction with metal to insulation contact to provide momentary contact for each cycle of movement of the rotor arm in both directions, said base supporting a third stud supporting a second elongated resilient sheet metal contact extending transversely to said rotor arm, toward the first-mentioned resilient contact, said second contact having an inwardly extending portion and a diagonally extending flange, which flange extends transversely to the first-mentioned diagonal flange, the said second flange camming said second contact out of the path of said rotor arm and sliding under the con tact on said rotor arm when the rotor arm moves in said one direction with metal to insulation contact, and sliding over said rotor contact when the rotor moves in the opposite direction with metal to metal engagement to provide momentary engagement with one resilient contact when the rotor moves in one direction and momentary engagement with the other resilient contact when the rotor moves in the other direction.

3. An electric switch for electric door locks requiring momentary energization, comprising an insulating base of substantially sector shape with rounded ends and corners, said base having a cylindrical bore centrally located with respect to said rounded ends, a shaft having a cylindrical end rotatably mounted in said bore, and having an enlarged cylindrical portion with a flattened side, a complementary sheet metal member mounted on said base and having a parallel wall with a concentric enlarged bore surrounding a second portion of said shaft, an insulating bushing on said shaft, and having a reduced cylindrical portion in said latter bore, a mounting bracket having a bore receiving said reduced por tion, an actuating lever riveted on a reduced end portion of said shaft and having a forked end, an insulating rotor arm having a bore with a flat side complementary to said enlarged portion of said shaft, said arm fitting between said bushing and said base, and tapering toward its free end, a metal contact having a layer of insulation on one side secured to the free end of said rotor by a through securing means, a connector arm carried by said securing means on said rotor arm, and extend ing backwardly toward said shaft, a connector stud carried by said base, engaging said connector arm, a second stud carried by said base and supporting an elongated resilient sheet metal contact extending transversely to said rotor arm, and having an inwardly turned end portion provided with a diagonal engaging flange, said diagonal flange camming said resilient contact out of the path of said rotor arm, and the rotor contact sliding over said flange when moving in one direction with metal to metal engagement, and sliding under said flange when moving in the opposite direction with metal to insulation contact to provide momentary contact for each cycle of movement of the rotor arm in both directions, said base supporting a third stud supporting a second elongated resilient sheet metal contact extending transversely to said rotor arm, toward the first-mentioned resilient contact, said second contact having an inwardly extending portion and a diagonally extending flange, which flange extends transversely to the firstmentioned diagonal flange, the said second flange camming said second contact out of the path of said rotor arm and sliding under the contact on said rotor arm when the rotor arm moves in said one direction with metal to insulation contact, and sliding over said rotor contact when the rotor moves in the opposite direction with metal to metal engagement to provide momentary engagement with one resilient contact when the rotor moves in one direction and momentary engagement with the other resilient contact when the rotor moves in the other direction, said base being mounted upon a fixed portion of a door lock, said lock having an actuating plate connected to be actuated by a plunger member and a tumbler member barrel, and a door handle member, any one of said three members being available for controlling the action of said arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,909,107 Kelly May 16, 1933 1,971,210 Cauli Aug. 21, 1934 2,006,624 Block July 2, 1935 2,103,363 Hansen Dec. 28, 1937 2,118,012 Lowe May 17, 1938 2,148,881 Schmid Feb. 28, 1939 2,156,387 Goldfinger May 2, 1939 2,158,451 Wilson May 16, 1939 2,171,365 Harding Aug. 29, 1939 2,213,625 Cummings Sept. 3, 1940 2,469,283 Steele May 3, 1949 

